KUCHING, Feb 3: The National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) is planning to build another Care and Cure Rehabilitation Centre (CCRC) to cater for drug abusers in the northern region of the state.
Its director-general Datuk Seri Zulkifli Abdullah said the additional centre is necessary due to the vastness of the state, where its centre in Kuching is deemed too far for those in the northern region.
He added that the agency has discussed the matter with the the state government to acquire a piece of land for the project, although yet to receive a favourable reply.
“We plan to build another CCRC in the northern part of Sarawak, either in Bintulu or Miri, to cater and help drug abusers in the northern region.
“Another centre is very much needed because the only such centre in Kuching is too far away, even for for those in the state’s central region,” he told reporters after visiting the new CCRC project at Mile 14, Jalan Borneo Heights.
Zulkifli said Sarawak recorded 1,640 drug abusers who are under court order, which is the lowest on the country. However, the figures exclude undetected cases.
He added that there are seven high-risk drug areas identified in Sarawak, including three in Kuching and two each in Samarahan and Miri.
According to Zulkifli, the identified areas in Kuching are Kpg Haji Baki, Tabuan and Malihah; Tanjung Bandung and Kpg Baru in Samarahan; Bekenu and Batu Niah in Miri.
He said that the current trend of drug abuse in the country is more towards synthetic drug like ketamine.
Zulkifli appealed to drug abusers to come for voluntary treatment. — DayakDaily
